Water sterilizer

ABSTRACT

The water sterilizer is proposed for large-volume, continuous flow operation with spaced banks of transparent irradiation media flow tubes of nonstick material fixed within a cabinet. The tubes are nested in interdigitated loops in each bank. Between the banks of fixed tubes are multiple germicidal lamps and reflectors mounted on frames slidable between the banks of tubes and slidable out of the cabinet for inspection and replacement of the lamps.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Alfred Landry 7589 Calvocado, LemonGrove, Calif. 92045 [21] Appl. No. 878,427

[22] Filed Nov. 20, 1969 [45] Patented Jan. 11, 1972 [54] WATERSTERILIZER 9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.C1 21/102, 21/54 R, 250/43, 250/48 [51] Int. Cl A611 3/00 [50]Field of Search 21/54, 101, 102; 250/43, 48

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,339,675 5/1920 Snelling21/101 UX 1,473,095 11/1923 Henri et a1. 250/48 1,486,473 3/1924 Ailhaud250/48 2,359,057 9/1944 Skinner 250/43 X 2,413,704 l/1947 Glatthar etal. 250/43 2,457,761 12/1948 Wesner 250/48 X 2,484,559 10/1949 Ellner250/43 2,577,879 12/1951 De Stoutz 250/48 3,037,116 5/1962 Weber 250/48FOREIGN PATENTS 888,448 9/1953 Germany 21/102 OTHER REFERENCES Teflon100 FEP," DuPont Information Bulletin, printed June, 1960 distributedAug., 1960 (pp, 1, 2, 14 and last page relied on).

Bulletin T-S, DuPont Technical Information Bulletin, printed Oct., 1965distributed Dec. 1965, front and back sides relied on.

Primary Examiner-M0rris O. Wolk Assistant Examiner-Joseph T. ZatargaAttorney-Markva, Smith & Kruger ABSTRACT: The water sterilizer isproposed for largevolume, continuous flow operation with spaced banks oftransparent irradiation media flow tubes of nonstick material fixedwithin a cabinet. The tubes are nested in interdigitated loops in eachbank. Between the banks of fixed tubes are multiple germicidal lamps andreflectors mounted on frames slidable between the banks of tubes andslidable out of the cabinet for inspection and replacement ofthe lamps.

PATENTEDJANI 1 I972 3534' 025 SHEETIUFZ Fig. 2

INVENTOR. ALFRED LAN DRY PATENTED JMH H972 3.634.025

SHEET 2 UF 2 OOOO OOOO

V I NVENTOR. ALFRED LANDRY dcnvxsjnox WATER STERILIZER BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION The need for water sterilization is regarded as critical andmounting steadily and prior apparatus has sometimes failed to provideeconomical large volume treatment because resort to larger media flowpipes hasreduced effective kill of fungi, bacteria and viruses. Fusedsilica or quartz used in prior art flow tubes has been subject todeterioration known as solarization with loss of transmitability andsuch materials, including glass, all tend to accumulate a film on theinside of the tubes in use, and inspection and replacement of lamps hasin the past usually involved considerable down time of the apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Fixed main inlet and main outlet pipes areparallel and spaced apart with banks of irradiation tubes connecting thepipes and arranged transversely of the pipes to define spaces betweenthe banks. The tubes are retum-folded with the loops of the tubes ineach bank interdigitated. Frames carrying the germicidal ray lamps aredisposed in the spaces between the banks of tubes and these frames areeasily withdrawn without electrical disconnection of the lamps forinspection and any needed replacement. The tubes are of nonstickmaterial and there are multifaced reflectors mounted on the framesbetween the lamps. The frames are preferably slidably mountedtransversally of a cabinet housing the tubes so that the frames can beindividually withdrawn with their complement of lamps and reflectors.The interdigitation of the loops of the tubes and the multiplicity ofthe tubes in each bank achieves a large flow volume without undueincrease in the diameter of the tubes, thus maintaining an extremelyhigh germicidal efficiency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view ofthe water sterilizer with one side of the cabinet partially cut away.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view with part of the top of the cabinet brokenaway.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view on the line 33 in FIG. 1 with thecorresponding frame, carrying its complement of lamps and reflectors,partially extended. This view also illustrates the flexible electricalconnection to the frame. The irradiation tubes are largely omitted forclarity.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view of a sliding frame withits lamps and reflectors, taken on the line 4-4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view on line 55 in FIG. 1 and designed toillustrate only the interdigitated looping of one bank of tubes.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on the line 6-6 in FIG.1 of the main inlet and outlet pipes, the irradiating tubes and thelamps. The frames and reflectors being omitted for clarity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Large-volume flow of the mediabeing sterilized, usually but not necessarily water, is provided for inthe instant sterilizer construction. A large main inlet pipe 10 and amain outlet pipe 12 are capped at the ends thereof and are preferablydisposed in parallel spaced relation in the lower portion of a cabinetgenerally indicated at 14. The cabinet is represented as rectangular inplan and elevation and with access doors 16 at one side, a top panel 18and a fixed wall 20 opposite the doors.

To handle such large-volume flow banks 22 of irradiation tubes indicatedindividually at 24 and 26 are connected to and between the main inletand outlet pipes 10 and 12 as best illustrated in FIG. 5. The tubes 24and 26 each define a generally planar folded path across the cabinet andtransversely of the inlet and outlet pipes, with the loops of the tubesinterdigitated to effect greater compactness. Although two tubes areshown in each bank, the present concept embraces use of three or moretubes in each bank with only minor and obvious variation.

Pairs of rails, each pair having an upper rail 28 which may be fixed tothe top panel 18 of the cabinet and a bottom rail 30 which may beterminally secured to the sides of the cabinet, provide sliding mountingfor generally planar frames 32. The banks 22 of irradiation tubes arespaced apart just sufficiently to accept the frames 32 therebetween.Each frame carries a plurality of germicidal ray generators 34ordinarily ultraviolet ray lamps terminally socketed in the frame andpreferably disposed parallel to and along the full length of each leg ofeach loop of tubes 24 and 26. It will be noted also that the generatorsor lamps 34 are disposed on two sides of tubes 24 and 26 for maximumexposure. For further increasing the efficiency of radiation elongatedreflectors 36 are interposed between each pair of lamps 34 in each frame32. These reflectors 36 are approximately the same length as said lamps34 and parallel therewith, being terminally secured in the frames 32.The cross-sectional shape of the reflectors 36 may vary somewhat but apreferred form is the illustrated square section polished aluminumtubing which has been demonstrated as highly efficient.

The material of the tubes 24 and 26 is that sold under the trademarkTEFLON which is known technically as F EP (fluorinated ethylenepropylene). This material has the characteristics of being transparentto germicidal rays from the lamps 34 and has nonstick properties suchthat no film builds up on the tubes 24 and 26 during use. This resultsin the efficiency of transmission of the rays through the tubes into themedia remaining constant, without cleaning the tubes. These tubes arealso inert to all chemicals likely to be encountered in the presentapplication.

Electrical connection to the lamps 34 in each frame 32 is effectedthrough a flexible cable 38 protected by a hinged carrier 40 to allowflexing without damage to the cables when the frames are pulled out, asindicated in FIG. 3, for inspection of the lamps and possiblereplacement when necessary.

Although germicidal radiation will ordinarily have to be stopped whilethe doors 16 are open, a reasonably efficient inspection can beaccomplished through protective glass windows 42 in the doors, duringoperation. Of course these doors are opened to permit selectivewithdrawal of the frames but electrical interlock switches areincorporated in the power circuit to prevent inadvertent opening duringoperation of the lamps 34.

While water is probably the media being sterilized, the instantapparatus is equally suitable for like processing of several fluid foodsand beverages, and in preparing sterile fluids for scientific andmedical uses.

Having described and illustrated the invention, what is claimed is:

l. A sterilizer unit for fluid media comprising:

a. a main inlet and outlet media flow means disposed on opposite sidesof the unit,

b. a plurality of parallel banks of irradiation tubes composed of amaterial that is transparent to germicidal rays and through which saidfluid media flows,

c. said irradiation tubes being connected to and extending between saidinlet and outlet means,

d. said parallel banks having spaces therebetween and e. frames movablymounted within said spaces and having germicidal ultraviolet raygenerators operably mounted thereon and carried thereby selectively intooperative position within said spaces and into inoperative position forinspection and replacement of the generators.

2. A sterilizer unit as defined in claim I wherein said frames includereflectors mounted thereon which are disposed between the generators toenhance the efficiency of the ultraviolet rays.

3. A sterilizer unit as defined in claim I wherein said irradiationtubes have a diameter sufficiently small to allow penetration of theultraviolet rays through the fluid media and are composed of fluorinatedethylene propylene whereby film buildup is prohibited on the inside ofthe tubes to allow transmission of ultraviolet rays over an extendedperiod of time.

4. A sterilizer unit as defined in claim 1 wherein each said bank has aplurality of tubes connected to and extending between said inlet andoutlet means,

said irradiation tubes being serpentine within the plane of eachcorrespondlng frame and including loops which are interdigitated forgreater compaction of the tubes within each said frame.

5. A sterilizer unit for fluid media comprising:

a. a cabinet,

b. main inlet and outlet media flow means disposed on two differentsides of the cabinet and located therein,

c. parallel banks of irradiation tubes connected to and extendingbetween said inlet and outlet means thereby providing flow of all mediafrom the inlet to the outlet means in each bank,

d. said banks having spaces therebetween and being disposed generally inplanes transversely of said inlet and outlet means,

. said irradiation tubes being constructed of a material that istransparent to germicidal ultraviolet rays and has nonstick propertieswhereby there is no film buildup upon the inside of the tubes duringextended use thereof,

f. frames movably mounted in said spaces between the banks, and

g. germicidal ultraviolet ray generators and reflectors operably mountedon said frames, said reflectors being disposed between said generators,

h. said frames being movable into operative positions within the cabinetand into inoperative positions outside the cabinet for inspection andreplacement of said generators.

6. A sterilizer unit as defined in claim 5 wherein said irradiation tubematerial is fluorinated ethylene propylene.

7. A sterilizer unit as defined in claim 5 wherein each said bank has aplurality of tubes connected to and extending between said inlet andoutlet means,

said irradiation tubes being serpentine within the plane of eachcorresponding frame and including loops which are interdigitated forgreater compaction of the tubes within each said frame.

8. A sterilizer unit as defined in claim 7 wherein said reflectors aremultifaced and elongated in the direction of the ray generators.

9. A sterilizer for fluid media comprising:

a. main inlet and outlet media flow pipes in parallel with respect toeach other,

b. parallel banks of irradiation tubes connected to and extendingbetween said inlet and outlet pipes,

c. said banks having spaces therebetween,

d. said irradiation tubes composed of a material that is transparent togermicidal rays, and

e. frames slidably mounted in said spaces and extending transversely ofsaid parallel inlet and outlet pipes,

f. said frames having germicidal ray generators operably mounted thereonand carried thereby selectively into operative position in said spacesand into inoperative position for inspection and replacement of thegenerators,

g. said irradiation tubes in each bank being serpentine and disposed ina vertical plane adjacent a corresponding pair of said frames,

h. said irradiation tubes in each bank having interdigitated loops forgreater compaction of tubes within each said vertical plane.

2. A sterilizer unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said frames includereflectors mounted thereon which are disposed between the generators toenhance the efficiency of the ultraviolet rays.
 3. A sterilizer unit asdefined in claim 1 wherein said irradiation tubes have a diametersufficiently small to allow penetration of the ultraviolet rays throughthe fluid media and are composed of fluorinated ethylene propylenewhereby film buildup is prohibited on the inside of the tubes to allowtransmission of ultraviolet rays over an extended period of time.
 4. Asterilizer unit as defined in claim 1 wherein each said bank has aplurality of tubes connected to and extending between said inlet andoutlet means, said irradiation tubes being serpentine within the planeof each correspondIng frame and including loops which are interdigitatedfor greater compaction of the tubes within each said frame.
 5. Asterilizer unit for fluid media comprising: a. a cabinet, b. main inletand outlet media flow means disposed on two different sides of thecabinet and located therein, c. parallel banks of irradiation tubesconnected to and extending between said inlet and outlet means therebyproviding flow of all media from the inlet to the outlet means in eachbank, d. said banks having spaces therebetween and being disposedgenerally in planes transversely of said inlet and outlet means, e. saidirradiation tubes being constructed of a material that is transparent togermicidal ultraviolet rays and has nonstick properties whereby there isno film buildup upon the inside of the tubes during extended usethereof, f. frames movably mounted in said spaces between the banks, andg. germicidal ultraviolet ray generators and reflectors operably mountedon said frames, said reflectors being disposed between said generators,h. said frames being movable into operative positions within the cabinetand into inoperative positions outside the cabinet for inspection andreplacement of said generators.
 6. A sterilizer unit as defined in claim5 wherein said irradiation tube material is fluorinated ethylenepropylene.
 7. A sterilizer unit as defined in claim 5 wherein each saidbank has a plurality of tubes connected to and extending between saidinlet and outlet means, said irradiation tubes being serpentine withinthe plane of each corresponding frame and including loops which areinterdigitated for greater compaction of the tubes within each saidframe.
 8. A sterilizer unit as defined in claim 7 wherein saidreflectors are multifaced and elongated in the direction of the raygenerators.
 9. A sterilizer for fluid media comprising: a. main inletand outlet media flow pipes in parallel with respect to each other, b.parallel banks of irradiation tubes connected to and extending betweensaid inlet and outlet pipes, c. said banks having spaces therebetween,d. said irradiation tubes composed of a material that is transparent togermicidal rays, and e. frames slidably mounted in said spaces andextending transversely of said parallel inlEt and outlet pipes, f. saidframes having germicidal ray generators operably mounted thereon andcarried thereby selectively into operative position in said spaces andinto inoperative position for inspection and replacement of thegenerators, g. said irradiation tubes in each bank being serpentine anddisposed in a vertical plane adjacent a corresponding pair of saidframes, h. said irradiation tubes in each bank having interdigitatedloops for greater compaction of tubes within each said vertical plane.